I.0.1 Computer Basics Student Manual - Texas State Library ...

I.0.1 Computer Basics Student Manual

The Computer Basics training session is a two (2) to four hour course. You will

learn basic information about computers. You will learn vocabulary about

computer hardware, and computer software. You will earn how you can put

information in computers and get information out of computers. You will also

earn about file management and why it is important.

Learning Goals

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Describe why computers are important

Explain how computers work

Explain the difference between computer hardware and computer software

Describe what an operating system is

Identify the operating system you have on your own computer and phone.

Explain office productivity and communications software.

Start up and shut down computers properly

Use the mouse and keyboard to complete tasks on the computer

Identify the different groups of keys on the computer

Create, open, save, and manage files and folders

Why is it important to know how to use a computer?

Computers are everywhere and everyone is using them! Computers are in our

cars, our kitchens, our stores and in our workplaces. They are used to

communicate, to play, and to make everyday tasks easier. Using a computer and

the Internet will help you to keep in touch with friends and family.

You will also be able to complete common tasks more quickly. Computers can

help you pay bills or find information on health or other topics. Computers can

also help you reach goals like finding a job and improving your career.

What is a computer?

A computer is a piece of equipment that needs electricity or battery power. The

computer does the following for you.

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accepts information (input)

changes the information (process)

produces new information for you (output), and

stores the new information (storage)

The computer completes 4 basic functions that make up the information

processing cycle.

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Input - data that you put into the computer

Process - how your data changes

Output ¨C data that you can take off of your computer

Storage ¨C where data is stored

The way that the computer processes information is kind of like the way your own

brain works.

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Input = what you take in through your eyes, ears, mouth & nose

Processing = your brain

Output = your verbal and written reactions

Storage = what you save and where and what you throw away

Why should you use a computer?

? What types of things can you do on the computer?

? What kind of things do you want to do on a computer?

Can you do these things without a computer? You probably can! But computers

can help you! They give you:

? Speed: Computers can complete tasks much faster than we can.

? Accuracy: Computers do not mistakes unless you make them first by giving

bad information

? Reliability: Computers will not change their minds by how they feel about

you

? Memory: Computers can work with huge amounts of information much

faster than we can.

5 Basic Parts of the Computer

1. Input: Things we use to get information into the computer.

List as many as you can think of. ...............................................................................

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2. Output: Things we use to see the results of what we do with information we

work with.

List as many as you can think of. ...............................................................................

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List as many devices as you can think of that are both input and output.

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3. Central Processing Unit (CPU):

? The CPU processes your instructions. It is the ¡°traffic cop¡± that tells the

computer what to do. It also works with numbers.

4. Memory: RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory)

? RAM: This is the short term memory. The computer holds information it

needs while it is working. When the computer turns off, the information in

RAM disappears.

? ROM: These are Instructions that are a permanent part of the computer.

These instructions are built on pieces of the computer called chips. These

are used to start up the computer, keep time, and do other things that

never change.

5. Storage: This is where the computer keeps your information. There are many

types of storage:

? Hard Drive: The hard drive is inside the actual computer.

? CD/DVD: You can read information from CD¡¯s and DVD¡¯s. On some

computers you can also write information on CD¡¯s and DVD¡¯s.

? USB drive: This is a small object that many people use to store data. USB

drives are easy to take with you from one place to another. People call USB

drives other names:

o Thumb drive

o Jump drive

o Flash drive

? The Cloud: The cloud is another word for the Internet. There are many

free ways to store information in the cloud. Some examples are Google

Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive.

What are advantages and disadvantages of different types of computer storage?

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Computer Programs

A computer program is a set of step-by-step instructions. These instructions tell

the computer how to do its job.

1. Operating System Software

This software works with the operating system. It controls how you, the

software, and the hardware work together. Windows, Apple, Android, and

Chrome are common operating systems. Computers and laptops usually use

Windows or Apple. Cell phones and tablets usually use Apple, Android, or

Chrome software.

2. Application Software

This software is what the computer uses to carry out a job as specified by the

user. There are different kinds of application software.

? Office Productivity Software. Word Processing is software that lets you

work mostly with text. You can enter, edit, format and print documents.

Microsoft Word is a popular example of word processing software.

? Spreadsheet is software. Spreadsheet software helps you work with

numbers and text too. You can enter, edit, format, print, sort and do math

with spreadsheet software. Microsoft Excel is a popular example of

spreadsheet software.

? Communications Software. Communications software helps you read,

write, talk to, and listen to other people. Examples are the Internet and

Email. Internet Explore and Chrome are examples of Internet browsers.

Browsers help you use the Internet.

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